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CYMRU LAND OF SAINTS AND HEROES Tan Wee Cheng's journey through the history & culture of Wales |
St David's - Saints and Pilgrims
St David's (Ty-Ddewi), the
smallest city in Britain with a population of 1500, was no bigger
than a small village but was important as the birthplace of St
David (Dewi Sant), Wales' patron saint. St David was one of the
earliest Celtic missionaries, who toiled to Christianise the
barbaric tribes of Britain and western Europe. Venerated after
his death, St David was not only a religious figure, but a symbol
of Welsh independence. By 1120, Pope Calixtus II declared that
two pilgrimage to St David's was equal to one to Rome. Today, the
city is famous for its ambience, cuteness, and splendid
cathedral. Its quaint little streets, peacefulness and beautiful
seaside scenery have attracted many here.
Arriving in St David in
darkness, we couldn't find the small hotel we booked earlier from
Swansea. We then decided to put up at a B&B we passed by, and
then rang the hotel to tell the proprietor that we lost our way
in Swansea area and hence couldn't stay at his place. It was
really embarrassing and I felt bad telling a lie but anyway the
damage was done. We then walked around town and stopped by an
interesting hotel bookshop. We bought a book on Celtic saints
there and had a conversation with the proprietor. And then, he
mentioned about having to wait for a group of four
German-sounding guests who cancelled their reservations because
they had lost their way. (Up to now I still have no idea my name
could have sounded German). Well, we took a careful look at the
name of the hotel. Oops, it's really the place we had booked
earlier... we remained silent. But thank goodness, he said, the
rooms were subsequently filled by some unexpected guests. Well,
that relieved our sense of guilt. We must avoid that sort of
situation again.
The following day we
visited St David's grand old cathedral and its ancient tombs .
Then we proceeded to the wind-swept, seaside shrine of St Non,
mother of St David. Apparently, Non was a young nun who met a
ex-prince monk, and gave birth to St David. Don't ask me what and
why the nun did what she did... none of my guidebooks explained
this. In any case, like other great saints, his birth was nothing
less than momentous - a hurricane swept that very cliff-side and
a curative spring gushed forth where he emerged into the world. I
had a sip of these holy waters - maybe that will bring me good
luck. [Click pciture to the left to see clearer St David's
birth-spot.]
We'd love to visit Ramsey Island with its seals and seabirds but the cruise didn't operate in winter. Thereupon, we set off northwards for Snowdonia...to the mountains...
A postcard making fun of the Welsh language - click the pix to enlarge it !
Mid-Wales:
Heroes & Crosses.....Snowdonia
(Eryri) & Gwynedd - the Real Wales.....Stones,
Statesmen, 10,000 Saints & a Mysterious Isle.....Of
Spirits & Castles